After a string of excellent movies, Paul Thomas Anderson may be going for a change in tone with INHERENT VICE, but he is certainly not skimping on the talent.

While Robert Downey Jr has been linked with the adaptation of the Thomas Pynchon novel since it was announced, it now looks likeCharlize Theron may be joining the film as well. The novel tells the story of a private detective uncovering a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer in drug-kissed 1960s Los Angeles.

While it is assumed that Downey will play the lead, there is no indication as to who Theron may play, but seeing as this movie has a noir-ish bent, I would have no issue with her playing a sexy femme fatale. But, much like a PT Anderson movie, a Thomas Pynchon novel is not always what it appears to be at the surface. IndieWire has INHERENT VICE similar to The Coen Brothers classic THE BIG LEBOWSKI which would be quite something with these actors. More names may be coming soon, so stay tuned.

INHERENT VICE is slated to begin filming later this year for a release likely in 2014.